3. Cooperate in helping to build protocols in case of a positive case.

Once
these three items were completed, Manwin/FSC/APHSS was to issue a press
release indicating that it would accept TTS test status to be viewed in
the TTS web portal by its producers and agents. After completing the
first two items, TTS was asked to provide its protocols for handling
positive cases to Manwin/FSC/APHSS. We indicated that this was not part
of our agreement, that we would assist and help to create these needed
protocols (as agreed), but we would not have ours copied for use at
Manwin/FSC/APHSS. We consider these protocols to be proprietary and
confidential. At this time Manwin/FSC/APHSS demanded to see these
procedures for which we declined.

“It has become evident
that our initial position of not participating in the Manwin/FSC/APHSS
mechanism for testing/reporting is the correct one.” said Sixto Pacheco,
president and CEO of TTS. “We have always believed that industry
testing laboratories should be completely unbiased and unattached from
any other industry affiliated organizations in order to avoid any
misconception about the validity of the testing being performed.
Furthermore, the manual entry of a talent's "Status" into the
Manwin/FSC/APHSS database by any participating facility is an unsafe
practice,” added Mr. Pacheco.

TTS will continue to
provide the level of service our stakeholders are accustomed to by
providing the latest testing methodologies coupled with our technology
based platform without sacrificing our Quality and Privacy Policies and
Protocols in place.

Talent Testing Services, Inc. caters
to clients by providing the most up-to-date technology. The company
uses QR Codes for validating printed test results, as well as a
convenient mobile page for verification of authenticity on-demand and
access to actual test results. Producers/Agents as well as Talents are
provided with a personal online dashboard that provides access to
historical and most recent testing information. Furthermore, Talents can
set up automatic reminders for next test dates.

So, apparently, the deal breaker was the insistence that TTS incorporate their protocols for contacting performers possibly testing positive for STI's into the APHSS database, which they balked at for what they deemed "security" reasons.

This is the first word we have received from Talent Testing Services
that they have chosen to stop sending data to the APHSS database. We
regret this decision by TTS since it will have a negative effect on performers and producers. Further, it obviously endangers adult
production industry self-regulation protocols, especially at a time when
the industry is under fire from outside interests that support
mandatory condom legislation.

We have done everything possible to compromise with TTS – despite
their objections to participation in APHSS – because we had requests
from several producers and agents to include TTS data in the
APHSS database. We agreed with producers and agents that including TTS
data was the best possible situation for the industry (despite their
unwillingness to comply with APHSS policy & protocols), in order to
have a complete source of information for active performers.

If
TTS is currently in dispute with Manwin over alleged demands placed on
them for further cooperation, APHSS cannot comment on these developments
as they do not directly involve any negotiations that we have had with
TTS. APHSS responded to TTS’ initial demands by providing them with an
automated interface to load data into the APHSS system. At that time,
TTS agreed to follow APHSS protocols in the event of an STI exposure
incident.

However, because of other objections from TTS to APHSS
policy, they declined to be included in the APHSS program and so were
not able to become an APHSS-recommended facility. It seems that now they
have decided to drop out of the program completely, based on their own
business interests.

We assume that Manwin has based their
company policy on what is most prudent for them, and we commend them for
giving serious consideration to establishing health and safety
protocols for their company.

The APHSS database was developed by
industry stakeholders, attorneys and compliance experts to be a
comprehensive source of information, to safeguard self-regulation
protocols – as well as providing performers with reliable health
services that include doctors and healthcare professionals. The database
design was also developed to safeguard user privacy and security.

APHSS-recommended
facilities have been chosen from established healthcare providers that
have agreed to abide by industry self-regulation protocols, including
the presence of on-staff physicians and adherence to STI exposure
protocols. Many of those protocols are based on those developed by the
AIM clinic. These components are essential to any industry
self-regulation – without them, the industry has little defense against
mandated regulation by governmental entities. The essence of those
protocols have been effective since they were established in 1998.

In
addition, the recently-initiated Performer Subsidy Fund is to be
administered through the APHSS system, which will subsidize testing for
all performers whose testing data is updated through the APHSS system.
Without voluntary TTS updates for performers that choose to use their
services, we cannot hope to know which performers have tested there, so
subsidizing their test fees will be nearly impossible. Most critically,
it will also be impossible for APHSS to gather data on performers that
test at TTS, in the event of an exposure incident.

Again, we have
had little communication from TTS concerning these latest developments
and we hope that their representatives will reconsider the potential
repercussions that their decisions will have on the entire adult
production community.

We encourage producers and performers to
consider carefully their own policies toward industry testing and STI
protocols, but acknowledge that all are free to choose the services they
wish to use. Producers and performers wanted - and have a right - to a
system that offers them choice, reliability and, most importantly,
cooperation in the event of any STI exposure incident. APHSS will
continue to provide those services and more, now and in the future.

So, it seems, we are back at Square One, with no organized testing protocols, a divided industry, and AHF/CalOSHA/LACDPH waiting for November and a successful condom mandate law to move in for the kill shot. Heck of a job there, guys.

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Why yes, this blog is dedicated to pro-porn activism! With the belief that pornography falls under the auspices free speech and expression, and is legitimate entertainment for consenting adults, if made for and by consenting adults. One, as a consenting adult, has the right to make and view pornography as they choose.